Carpet securing means



June 28, 1960 M. A. LINSKY CARPET SECURING MEANS Filed Nov. 18, 1957 l, 35 s 35 29 P22 IN VENTOR. Mam/5 4. L/Msm United States Patent CARPET SECURING MEANS Morris A. Linsky, 1233 S. Daniels, Los Angeles, Calif.

Filed Nov. 18, 1957, Ser. No. 697,075

4 Claims. (Cl. 16-7) This invention relates to the fastening or securing of floor coverings such as carpeting.

An object of the invention is to provide improved means for anchoring the edge of a carpet or similar floor covering.

To avoid damage to flooring and carpeting and to prevent the formation of depressions tending to form dirt traps when carpeting is nailed directly to wooden or concrete flooring, anchor strips have previously been employed to hold the edges of the carpeting. While there are different forms, these strips generally include upwardly extending oblique prongs or pins upon which the margin of the floor covering may be impaled after the anchor strip has been secured to the floor in any suitable manner.

It is desirable, however, to protect the edges of carpeting from raveling and also to protect the edges against being kicked up or forming tripping hazards to persons walking across the edge of the carpet, especially when the carpet extends across doorways or around uncarpeted areas such as fireplace hearths. It is therefore another object of the invention to provide improved means for protecting and covering the edges of carpeting and the like.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide improved means for securing the exposed margins of floor covering such as carpets and the like while providing an attractive and useful trim for the edges of floor coverings in locations such as doorways, around fireplace hearths, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide holding means that permits substantial tension to be applied to carpeting or the like when it is stretched.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improved means for concealing the edges of carpet.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In carrying out the invention in accordance with a preferred form thereof, a relatively rigid carpet securing strip is provided having a channel formed therein adapted to receive an anchor'strip of the type having upwardly obliquely extending nails or pins. By way of example, one suitable form of anchor strip is shown in the patent to Roberts, No. 2,238,946, issued April 22, 1941, and entitled Carpet Fastener. The securing strip holding the anchor strip is formed with a portion extending outward beyond the edge of the channel, and the edge of the carpeting extends across this portion, beyond the anchor strip. A flange is attached to the edge of the outwardly extending portion and extends back, toward the anchor strip, the free end of the flange having an edge curving downwardly toward the carpet. The flange is adapted to be bent downwardly against the surface of the carpet after the latter has been secured on the impaling pins of the anchor strip. In this manner the edge of the carpet, which may be a raw edge, is covered and protected,

and in addition an attractive trim is provided along the edges of the carpet.

A better understanding of the invention will be afforded by the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially in cross section, of an installation of carpeting and carpet securing means in a doorway;

Figure 2 is a view in cross section of a carpet securing cover strip of the type employed in the installation of Figure 1, showing an anchor strip in place and an edge portion of carpet cushioning padding material;

Figure 3 is a view of a cross section of the device of Figure 2 after the device has been secured to a floor and showing the manner in which the carpet or the floor covering rests upon the device and the carpet pad, but before the edge of the carpet has been covered; and

Figure 4 is a view in cross section corresponding to Figure 3 showing the completed installation with the edge covering flange in position.

Like reference characters are utilized throughout the drawing to designate like parts.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, carpeting 11 is shown installed with an edge 12 extending across a doorway, to a jamb 13. For securing and covering the edge of the carpet a carpet securing strip 14 is provided which is illustrated more clearly in Figures 2, 3 and 4. The securing strip 14 comprises a shelf member 15 connected to a channel 16 adapted to receive an anchor strip 17.

The anchor strip 17 is formed of an elongated strip 20 of strong material, such as plywood, and has upwardly projecting carpet impaling pins 18 extending obliquely outward, away from the center portion of the carpet. The pins 18 are driven in from the undersurface of the elongated strip 20 to form the anchor strip 17, a subassembly separate from the chanel 16. The anchor strip 17 is mounted in the channel 16, as hereinafter described, and the resulting carpet securing strip 14 is adapted to be secured to the floor by suitable means such as screws, nails, or the like. For example, nails 21 of a type suitable for fastening in a wooden floor are illustrated, but it will be understood that concrete nails or other suitable fastening means may be employed where their use is indicated. In each case, the nail is preferably driven through the anchor strip 17, between the pins 18, and then through the bottom of the channel 16 to provide a firmconnection to the floor 19.

The shelf member 15 of the carpet securing strip 14 extends outwardly and downwardly from the upper edge of the channel portion 16 to the floor l9, and the carpet 11 has its edge 12 located near the outer end of the shelf member 15. This insures that the visible edge of the carpet 11 will remain smooth and secure at all times. For concealing and protecting the carpet edge 12 as hereinafter described, a deformable flange 22 is formed along the outer edge 23 of the shelf member 15 of the carpet securing device 14.

With the exception of the anchor strip 17, the remainder of the carpet securing strip 14, including the channel 16, the shelf member 15, and the flange 22, is a single integral member, preferably an extrusion of a suitable material such as an aluminum alloy. As originally formed or extruded, the flange 22 forms an open angle 24 with the shelf member 15 in order that the carpet 11 may readily be inserted between them. Moreover, in order to improve the appearance and to hold the carpet edge 12 in place, the free edge of the flange 22 is preferably formed with a curved or hook-like edge portion 25 adapted to be forced into the carpet pile 29, outwardly from the inner edge of the anchor strip 17.

The flange 22 is preferably formed somewhat thicker or heavier in gauge than the remainder of the fastening device 14 in order to improve its appearance and wearing qualifies. As indicated, the outer edge of the flange 22 is connected to the outer edge of the shelf member by a neck portion 26 of decreased thickness, which renders it easier to bend the flange to its final position and restricts the actual bend to the desired location.

In order to guard against dirt and debris collecting under the carpet securing means 14, the edge 23 of the shelf member 15 is formed with a continuous tooth or edge portion 27 which lies below the plane of the lower surface 28 of the channel 16. The plane of the channel surface 28 thus intersects the shelf member, 15 adjacent the base or the root of the tooth 27.

When the carpet fastening device 14 is secured to the surface 19 of the flooring, the outer edge or tooth 27 rests upon the flooring surface 19. Then when the securing nails 21 are driven into the flooring, the shelf member 15 is sprung or distorted slightly to press the tooth-like edge 27 firmly against and slightly into the floor surface 19.

Ordinarily a relatively thick pad 31 of felted fiber or molded rubber-like material'is provided for cushioning the carpet 11. The channel 16 is formed of such a depth as to correspond to the thickness of the pad 31 so that the upper surfaces of the padding 31 and the anchor strip 17 are approximately level with the upper edge 32 of the channel 16. Then in installing the carpet 11 after the nails 21 have been driven into the position illustrated in Figure 3, the carpet 11 is drawn tightly over the surface of the pad 31 and the edge 32 of the channel 16, and the margin of the carpet is impaled upon the pins 18 and secured thereby. The carpet is then trimmed if not already cut to the right size, so that the edge 12 of the carpet 11 approaches the edge 23.

Thereafter, the flange 22 is pressed downward with the hook-like portion 25 entering the carpet pile 20. This may be done by pressing or pounding, usually with a protective member such as a length of wooden planking located on top of the flange '22 to avoid uneven bending or warping.

Since the carpet 11 is held in tension by the impaling pins 18, it is not necessary that the flange 22 be driven down so hard, or that the hook-like portion 25 be so sharp, as to cut into the carpet 11 and grip it. Thus the taut securement of the carpet 11 does not depend upon the degree of care with which the flange 22 is closed upon the body portion 15. Nor is there any danger from cutting the carpet 11 so that it would rip loose from the fastening device.

The construction illustrated lends itself to preventing the anchor strip 17 from rotating or being overturned by the tension of the carpet 11 applied to the upwardly projecting impaling pins 18. As shown, the channel 16 is formed with an overhanging edge 33 which is the outer edge, away from the central portion of the carpet 11, and the anchor strip 17 has a corresponding edge 34 which slopes outward downwardly so as to fit under the overhanging channel edge 33. This arrangement holds the anchor strip 17 secure all along its length in addition to the securement provided at the points where the nails 21 are located.

In addition, a lip or bead 35 is formed on the edge 32 of the channel 16 so that the anchor strip 17 is held in position in the channel 16 during the handling of the carpet fastening device 14 and delivery thereof prior to installation. Consequently the anchor strip 17 may be assembled with the extruded metal part of the fastener 14 before the apparatus is shipped to the point of installation.

As previously mentioned, the anchor strip 17 is composed of a suitable relatively soft material for receiving the impaling pins 18 and the fastening nails 21. For example wood, preferably in the form of plywood, may

be employed, and any variation in the dimensions or straightness of this strip cooperates with the lip 35 to hold the edge 36 of the anchor strip 17 in place and pro- R'ide a relatively tight fit or force fit in the channel 16.

Preferably the extruded carpet securing means 14 has nail-receiving holes 37 formed in the bottom wall of the channel 16 before installation.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes the principle of operation of the invention has been described together with the apparatus now believed to represent the best embodiment thereof, but it is to be understood that the apparatus shown and described is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other arrangements.

I claim:

1. Carpet securing means of the class described which include: an elongated extrusion member having a base section and a pair of upwardly projecting walls, one of said walls overhanging said base section and extending toward the other wall; a shelf portion substantially coextensive with the upper edge of said overhanging wall and extending outwardly and downwardly from said upper edge toward the plane of said base section; a flange portion extending from the outer edge of said shelf portion and projecting generally upwardly and inwardly therefrom, said flange terminating in a curved edge projecting generally toward said shelf portion; and carpet anchoring means including a strip of nailable material abutting said base section between said walls, said strip having a plurality of outwardly directed pins projecting upwardly therefrom, said strip abutting both walls.

2. Carpet securing means of the class descrribed which include: an elongated channel member having a base section and a pair of upwardly projecting walls, one of said walls overhanging said base section and extending toward the other wall; a shelf member connected to the upper edge of said overhanging wall along its length and extending outwardly and downwardly toward the plane of said base section, the outer edge of said shelf member inclined downwardly; a coextensive flange attached to the outer edge of said shelf member and projecting generally upwardly and inwardly therefrom, said flange terminating in a curved edge projecting generally toward said shelf member, said flange being reduced in thickness adjacent said shelf member to form a bendable neck, whereby said flange may be bent toward said shelf member and said curved edge then engages carpeting on said shelf member; and carpet anchoring means including a strip of nailable material having a plurality of outwardly directed pins projecting upwardly therefi'om, said strip having a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the interior of said channel member, whereby the edges of said strip are in abutment with both walls, said carpet anchoring means being substantially coextensive with said channel member and being held against rotation about its inner edge by the engagement of the outer edge of said carpet anchoring means by said overhanging wall.

3. Carpet securing means of the class described which include: an elongated channel member having a base section and a pair of upwardly projecting walls, one of said walls overhanging said base section and inclined toward the other wall; carpet anchoring means located in and substantially coextensive with said channel member and including a strip portion having carpet engaging means projecting upwardly from said strip portion, said strip abutting the confronting surfaces of said walls; a shelf member integral with the upper edge of said overhanging wall and extending outwardly and downwardly toward the plane of said base section, said shelf member having a downwardly projecting, sharpened outer edge; and a flange integral with the outer edge of said shelf member and projecting generally upwardly and inwardly therefrom, said flange terminating in a curved edge projecting generally toward said shelf member, said flange being reduced in thickness adjacent said shelf member to form a bendable neck, whereby said flange may be bent toward said shelf member and said curved edge then engages carpeting on said shelf member.

4. Carpet securing means of the class described which includes: an elongated generally planar base portion adapted to bear against a floor; a first wall connected along one edge of said base portion and coextensive therewith, said first wall extending upwardly from said base portion, said first wall being inclined toward the opposite edge of said base portion; a shelf member having an uninterrupted flat upper surface connected to the upper end of said first wall and extending laterally outwardly and downwardly from such upper end with the outer edge of said shelf member terminating in the plane of said base portion to engage the floor along a line spaced from the floor surface engaged by said base portion; a flange narrower than said shelf member connected to the outer edge of said shelf member and extending generally upwardly therefrom and toward said base portion, said flange being bendable downwardly to engage a carpet placed upon said shelf member; a strip of nailable material overlying said base portion and adjacent said wall, said strip being substantially coextensive with said base portion and said first wall and having the upper surface thereof substantially level with the upper edge of said first wall, said strip having a plurality of pins projecting upwardly therefrom at spaced positions along its length for cooperative engagement with the carpet overlying said strip; and a second wall connected along the opposite edge of said base portion and coextensive therewith, said second wall cooperating with first wall to engage opposite sides of said strip to restrain rotation of said strip out of position between said base portion and said first wall by tension of the carpet engaged with said pins.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 387,882 Howerton Aug. 14, 1888 2,116,846 Pilcher May 10, 1938 2,258,314 Bonnell Oct. 7, 1941 2,449,904 Lorraine Sept. 21, 1948 2,670,494 Owens Mar. 2, 1954 2,677,145 Adams May 4, 1954 2,736,054. White Feb. 28, 1956 2,849,747 Karas Sept. 2, 1958 

